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Indigenous rally on Australia Day in Qld

Kym Agius

Australia Day has opened old wounds for Brisbane's indigenous population, who say their places of worship aren't being respected by authorities.

About 300 indigenous Australians and their supporters rallied outside Parliament House on Saturday, calling for sovereignty to be awarded to the first Australians.

"Only then can we build a just republic for all who call this place home," Wayne Wharton said.

Mr Wharton was one of three indigenous people arrested at South Brisbane's Musgrave Park in December when authorities closed down the Aboriginal tent embassy and extinguished the "sacred fire".

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Brisbane City Council had shut down the embassy at the request of elders who said it had lost its way amid violence and alcohol abuse.

Protesters on Saturday marched from parliament house to the park, where they re-lit the sacred fire.

They celebrated with a corroboree and smoking ceremony and proudly re-claimed the small section of the park was theirs again.

"Everyone else is able to have their places of worship respected, yet we continue to face restrictions, harassment and intimidation from the colonial authorities when we exercise our religion and customary practices on our own land," Mr Wharton said.

The group then marched to South Bank, to protest where Brisbane's main Australia Day celebrations continued regardless.

The drizzle and winds didn't keep crowds from being entertained by live music, a 21-gun salute, RAF flypast and fireworks.

Premier Campbell Newman said it was a time to celebrate the country's diverse culture.

The state also welcomed 5000 new citizens, the highest number in the nation.